HTX Labs is excited to announce our recent SBIR Phase II contract with the United States Air Force 821 Contingency Response Squadron (CRS)!
The primary goal of this project is to adapt our EMPACT Immersive Learning Platform to enable Airmen to quickly source and ingest large-scale, geospatially-accurate virtual environments to support critical training and preparation for expeditionary airfield operations.
HTX will leverage technologies such as Microsoft Azure Cloud Computing Platform Maps to generate geospatial environments from GIS / Satellite terrain imagery and data, unlocking new opportunities for immersive training and operational planning when paired when EMPACT’s content authoring tools.
This new capability will support the mission of the 821 CRS and 621 CRW relative to continency response training as well as further enable the shift from traditional, large teams of Airmen trained to perform a limited scope of tasks, to more modern operational concepts like Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and Multi-Capable Airmen (MCA).
“The Air Force needs a more effective way to train and plan for Contingency Response missions, particularly in the hands of expeditionary units at the tactical level. The capability to rapidly create large-scale, geospatially accurate virtual environments will be a game-changer for mission planning and preparedness.” MSgt Bryan K Rodvold, USAF AMC 321 AMOS/DOP
Full Sail University Joins the VR/AR Association
WINTER PARK, Fla. – November 30, 2021 – Full Sail University is proud to announce that it has joined the Orlando/Central Florida Chapter of the VR/AR Association. As a longstanding member of the global technology community, and with degree programs centered on Emerging Technologies, including Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Game Development, IT, Simulation & Visualization, and Mobile Development, the university joined the VR/AR association to continue to serve and impact the VR/AR community through education.
The VR/AR Association (VRARA) is a global industry association that strives to offer a connected local & global community of members through its initiatives including industry committees, educational resources, and networking opportunities, via local Chapters. Chapters are run by a local Chapter President that helps coordinate events, case studies, highlight member institutions, and connect and introduce members in the local community and across the globe.
“Our region is home to a tremendous technology-focused ecosystem that is continuing to innovate at a rapid pace, thus solidifying Orlando’s place as one of America’s main hubs for the use of immersive technology,” said John Cunningham, VRARA Orlando Chapter President. “Having Full Sail University as a member of the Orlando/Central Florida Chapter is a testament to their continued commitment to pushing the tech industry forward, in addition to supplying their educators, students, and alumni with the valuable resources and opportunities made available through the VRARA.”
The VRARA is focused on creating a member community of not only VR and AR solution providers and content creators, but also having a large percentage of members being the brands and customers of VR and AR, academic institutions, media and entertainment companies, aerospace and defense companies, healthcare operators and more. This serves to accelerate networking and sharing of knowledge through case studies, discussions, collaborative programs, and training.
“At Full Sail, we make it a point to keep our finger on the pulse of the industries in which our degree programs and graduates serve,” said Luis Garcia, VP of Emerging Technologies, Full Sail University. “Being a part of the VRARA allows us the opportunity to learn, lead and educate, while continuing to contribute to our thriving tech community both locally and internationally. I’m honored to serve on the Orlando Chapter’s Advisory Board, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together.”
About Full Sail University:
Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in entertainment, media, arts and emerging technologies. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has received numerous accolades throughout its 40+ year history, including most recently a 2021 “Top Graduate & Undergraduate Schools to Study Game Design” by The Princeton Review, a 2021 “Top 50 Film Schools” by The Wrap Magazine, and a 2019 “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges.
Full Sail University is a graduate and undergraduate degree-granting institution offering on-campus and online degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, Sports, and Technology. With over 83,950+ graduates worldwide, Full Sail alumni have worked on countless award-winning projects with individual recognition including OSCAR®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, ADDY®, MTV Video Music Award, and Video Game Award honors.
Media Contacts
Casey Tanous
Full Sail University
407-310-2497
India's first Virtual Reality TECHNO‐PARK has been set up in Hyderabad
For numerous innovations 32 acres is being prepared
Cymax is a platform for future worlds AR, VR technology related research and innovation
Hyderabad, November 22-2021: For the first time in India, CYMAX Techno‐Park with its Research and Innovations in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology is being set up in Hyderabad said G.Raghavareddy Chairman and CEO Mr. Gouri Shankar.
While speaking at a press conference held on Monday morning at the CYMAX office in Hyderabad, they said they are setting up the CYMAX VR Techno‐Park with world‐class technology in a vast 32‐acre site near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. They said that they are serving as a platform for startup companies as well as top companies to appropriately develop their AR and VR technology in the future.
In this context, they said that through CYMAX they are introducing various kinds of innovations in the Park such as CYMAX Institute of Creative Technology, VR Labs in Schools and Colleges, VR Movies in Web‐Series, CYMAX Film Museum, Virtual Productions, Virtual Architecture& Real‐estate, CYMAX Indoor Theater, CYMAX Outdoor Theater, Virtual TV/ Studio / Tours / Showrooms / Virtual Events and 360‐Degree live Streaming. They said they are introducing unique CYMAX courses catering to Multimedia, VFX, Software and hardware Sectors. They said that this course will help in bringing about phenomenal changes in the areas of education, entertainment, medicine, automobile, tourism, real estate, military, architecture and gaming besides creating a wide range of employment opportunities. CYMAX Institute of Creative Technology aims to shape up students to effectively face intellectual challenges in the future and travel together with varied cultures.
They said that CYMAX will play a key role on par with the foreign countries in extending AR and VR technology education and knowledge to employees, women and professionals in various fields, industries and business organizations besides youth.
They said that knowledge in AR, VR and MR besides Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning is going to unveil a brand new world for the people. They also said that with AR and VR technology, it is possible to go to any era in history, enjoy being on the moon, overcome our limitations and dash into the dream world, conquer old age and live in the digital world even after death. While standing as the focal point for talent, research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the world, CYMAX serves to build the professional leadership needed by society by providing effective education and skills.
FOUNDERS:
Chairman Mr. G. Raghava Reddy is a humble dynamic leader known for his simplicity, discipline and principles. As the chairman of G.Pulla Reddy Group he is continuing the values and the traditions set forth by his father, the legendary Mr.G. Pulla Reddy. They established many institutions sponsored and managed under G. Pulla Reddy Charities Trust. Mr.G.Raghava Reddy is also the President of the Oasis Education Society. He is an altruist, contributing to CYMAX Technology as part of extension and expansion to the next generation education system.
CYMAX is the brainchild of CEO Mr. Gouri Shankar Mamidi, a renowned Architect serving as a Panel Architect for Andhra and Telangana states. He is a recipient of prestigious ‘UDYOG RATNA’ award and is well known in the innovation centers and circles to be a dynamic force in himself. Metaverse being his dream, this creative tech savvy could make his dreams come true using the professional skills collated all through his career spanning over three decades.”
Contact:
Cymax Infotainment Pvt.Ltd
Ph: +91 7337332776
e-mail: pro@cymax.co.in
3D PluraView – stereoscopic desktop monitors for military use – shielded and zoned according to NATO standards
Today, armed forces worldwide use digital, 3D stereoscopic monitors for visual interpretation tasks. Stereoscopic image analysis is a key technology, as it provides access to image content that can be interpreted much better than monoscopic, single-image coverage from the same source and resolution. In the context of military geo-information applications, the latest generation stereo display technology for the desktop is based on passive, dual-screen systems. These are predominantly used for photogrammetry and GIS/mapping, satellite imaging, UXO identification, operations planning and airspace coordination. The German company Schneider Digital is one of the few manufacturers worldwide for future-proof, stereoscopic desktop and large-scale projection systems, manufacturing also professional workstations and servers. All workplace components, i.e. workstations, stereoscopic desktop and large-format 3D stereo visualization solutions, can be shielded or 'zoned' to reduce or eliminate any electromagnetic emissions, according to the NATO SDIP-27 standard (Level A, B and C).
With a resolution of up to 4K per screen, the dual-screen 3D PluraView monitors are directly compatible with most stereoscopic software applications, i.e. no middleware, special graphic drivers or stereo signal emitters are required. Stereoscopic images are viewed on the 3D PluraView through very light-weight, passive and cross-polarized glasses.
The left image is displayed on the vertical monitor, the right image is electronically mirrored, displayed on the upper monitor and viewed through a so-called ‘beamsplitter’ mirror, creating a holographic object effect in 3D space.
The additive combination of the two screens results in a very bright stereoscopic visualization which, in contrast to active LCD shutter glasses, allows for permanent use in normal daylight office or lab environments. With two screens, the full monitor resolution of up to 4K (UHD) is achieved for each stereo channel and therefore each eye. Furthermore, the passive, dual-screen stereo principle is completely flicker-free, as the left and right images are displayed on separate monitors, permitting comfortable, long-term work with stereoscopic content.
Stereoscopic displays for military applications
The 3D PluraView stereo monitors are designed and built by Schneider Digital to be extremely rigid and stable, using solid-metal CNC-machined precision components made of steel or aluminum. This construction allows for the precise, long-term calibration and co-registration of the two monitors, providing optimal stereo image quality, which is especially important for military applications:
3D PluraView are available in two different assembly sizes with four screen diagonals: 22"/ 24" and 27"/ 28" – for optimal adaptation to workplace and software application;
Highest resolution from Full HD to 2.5K (WQHD) up to 4K / 10 Bit (UHD) per monitor and stereo channel for extremely sharp, bright and high-contrast image display;
Absolutely flicker-free, supporting relaxed, fatigue-free work in 3D-stereo with extremely lightweight, yet robust polarization glasses;
Suitable for normal office daylight environments, no dark-phase 120Hz switching, maximum brightness and full resolution, as separate monitor are used for each stereo channel / each eye;
Very wide 170 degree viewing angle – flexibility enabling image exploitation or consultative viewing by several people at the same time;
Perfectly suitable for direct connection to laptop workstations - plug & play with just two monitor cables - ideal for mobile use, field operations;
Certified for use with BAE Systems (Socet GPX), Thales (GeoMaker), Collins (SCi-X) and Esri (ArcGIS Pro);
Functional design with optimized space requirements;
Highest quality – Engineered & Made in Germany;
Certified zoning available, according to NATO SDIP-27 standard (Level A, B, and C)
The electronic components used in the 3D PluraView have very low electromagnetic emissions even without additional measures. They have been certified by the German Federal Institute for Information Security (BSI), the Swiss Federal Office for Topography (swisstopo) and the US National Geospatial Agency (NGA). In combination with high-performance workstations from Schneider Digital, the stereoscopic 3D PluraView monitors offer maximum security, performance and long-term stability in military environments. Available as complete workplace solutions from Schneider Digital (monitor + workstation + input devices), they can be shielded and zoned according to the NATO SDIP-27 standard. The initial SDIP-27 shielding level (Level C) for the 3D PluraView monitors can be executed with minimal effort and cost involved.
While there is certainly not a single "ideal" stereoscopic or holographic 3D display that meets all requirements, purposes and wishes, passive stereo display technology with two individual screens is established on the market for 16 years, has been available continuously and is absolutely mature. With its 3D PluraView monitor series, Schneider-Digital is established as the de-facto standard in the military sector and is by far the market leader for military 3D-stereo desktop displays.
Together with the 3D PluraView display systems, stereoscopic software packages, such as Socet GXP, GeoMaker and Sci-X can provide their full potential to military users for stereoscopic display, data capture and editing operations. This perfect hardware/software match also applies to the new generation of mesh-based 3D-reality modeling applications, for instance nFrames SURE.
With the new versions of ArcGIS Pro, the US-company Esri, the world leader for Geographic Information Systems, has created a universal stereoscopic software platform. ArcGIS Pro automatically displays stereo images or video from satellites, aircraft or drones together with all other 3D content, such as LIDAR, CAD & mesh datasets on connected 3D display hardware. This application is an excellent example for a comprehensive and intuitive integration of multi-source 3D datasets in a unified stereoscopic data environment on the 3D PluraView monitors by Schneider Digital.
More info https://www.3d-pluraview.com/en/application-field/3d-pluraview-in-geo-applications
Call for Speakers and Sponsors for our event on Metaverse Platforms and Avatars on Dec 17
Metaverse is now the most popular word in the tech world and every company is asking:
"What's our Metaverse strategy?"
“How many metaverse platforms are out there?”
“What are they used for?”
Speak or Sponsor at our virtual event on Dec 17 and help shape the future of the metaverse!
Join the best minds in the industry
Present the real issues
Show how you see the future, and how you’re planning to get there
Topics include:
Metaverse platforms
Avatars and Meta Humans
Blockchain
NFTs
Cryptocurrency
Other
Flint Tech Announces Global Partnership With Next World Enterprises
Gdańsk, Poland (November 18, 2021) - Next World Enterprises signs an evergreen MSA (Master Service Agreement) directly with Flint Tech to support and enhance Next World’s VR development potential as it seeks to service its expanding global client base.
Flint Tech will be developing 50 articles of high-end workplace learning content in Virtual Reality (VR) for Next World global customers. Next World Enterprises will also be taking an equity stake in Flint Tech.
Flint will scale their business threefold in size to cater for the significant ramp-up that will deliver to Next World a multi-lingual, multi-device library of off-the-shelf immersive learning experiences, making it the largest VR content library in the World for Workplace Learning.
“We’re really excited about this announcement for our customers. Our customers are thirsty for more quality VR content for their workforce. They love the improved learning outcomes that come from our solution, and they want more content to access - this is now provided for.” said Founder and CEO of Next World, Michael O’Riley. “Very soon, our customers are going to be able to access 100’s of quality VR learning experiences for their people - making our VR Learning Platform a 100% solution to evolve away from antiquated eLearning LMS’s - the future of workplace learning has arrived with this deal”
CEO of Flint Tech adds: “We're thrilled to solidify our collaboration with Next World. This deal not only continues the momentous growth of Flint Tech, and all companies across the Flint Group business ecosystem, but also confirms what I have known for some time (and big Tech companies are only just waking up to) that the XR tech talent in Poland, and indeed across Europe - is second to none. We're excited to continue to deliver best-in-class VR training solutions to Next Worlds' global client base to build the future of workplace learning with their cutting-edge platform.”
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Next World Enterprises is the world’s leading VR for Workplace Learning solution provider for industrial applications based in Brisbane, Australia. The company offers intelligently designed and engineered off-the-shelf Virtual Reality Learning Experiences on a subscription basis that materially improves outcomes and opens a rich data gateway to the individual and company risk profiles.
Flint Tech is one of Poland’s most recognized VR/AR software developers. The company focuses on creating immersive XR experiences that enhance everyday business activities, such as employee training or sales & marketing.
Contact:
Name: Judyta Dunn
Email Address: j.dunn@flint.tech
Website URL: http://flint.tech/en
CES names Healium 2022 Innovation Award Honoree
Healium announced the Consumer Technology Association, the creators of the world’s largest technology show on the planet, has named Healium a CES® 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree for its patented technology that connects biometric data from consumer wearables to VR and AR apps. This year’s CES Innovation Awards program received a record-high number of more than 1800 submissions. The announcement was made ahead of CES 2022, the world’s most influential technology event, happening Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas, NV, and digitally.
The CES Innovation Awards program, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in 27 consumer technology product categories. An elite panel of industry expert judges, including members of the media, designers, engineers, and more, reviewed submissions based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetics, and design.
Healium’s products are used worldwide with the US military, in schools, with elite athletes in the NFL and MLB, and wellness practitioners to equip high performers with brain and heart rate training they need to excel. Healium teaches users to learn to self-regulate so they can focus faster, stress less, and perform better.
“Healium is the first immersive media channel for hardware-agnostic wearables,” said Sarah Hill, Healium’s CEO who developed the technology to ease her own anxiety as a former TV news reporter. “Think of Healium like a video game you play with your smartwatch or EEG headband. Mental fitness is an important way to build resilience with drugless, non-harmful coping mechanisms. We’re delighted CES has recognized our technology that is an important bridge between biometric data and XR content.”
You can try Healium for yourself at CES in Vegas at its booth near the entrance to the North Hall’s health pavilion. The CES 2022 Innovation Awards honorees, including product descriptions and photos, can be found at CES.tech/innovation.
Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2022, the global stage for innovation, will convene the tech industry in person and digitally, giving global audiences access to major brands and startups, as well as the world’s most influential leaders and industry advocates. Visit CES.tech for all CES 2022 updates, including health protocols and registration.
More info https://www.tryhealium.com
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Healium is a patented technology and product that allows users to learn to self-regulate their focus and calm by giving them the ability to see their EEG brain patterns or heart rate in near-real-time. In five peer-reviewed journals, Healium has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and improve mood in as little as four minutes.
Cognixion Raises $12M to Advance Assisted Reality Tech for Millions Affected by Communication Disabilities
Funding round led by Prime Movers Lab, including Northwell Health, Amazon Alexa Fund and Volta Circle
Cognixion®, a neural interface startup, raised $12 million in seed funding to develop AI-powered neural interfaces that unlock speech and smart home controls for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide with communication and physical disabilities. The funding will help Cognixion develop new adaptive interfaces that make the Assisted Reality technology easier to use by everyone. Prime Movers Lab led the round with co-investors Northwell Health, Amazon Alexa Fund and Volta Circle.
Cognixion’s patented non-invasive, wireless brain-computer interface with an integrated augmented reality display, Cognixion ONE, detects the signals from the user's brainwaves associated with visual fixation on interactive objects and enables hands-free, voice-free control of AR/XR applications in the headset.
Cognixion ONE is a closed-loop device that stimulates the visual cortex within the brain and reads its activity while sending control signals back to the AR application. It also integrates with leading research software.
In addition to Cognixion ONE, the company is building advanced machine learning algorithms and an AI-powered language system, which adapts to each user's unique communication style, making it more efficient at recognizing and anticipating what they intend to communicate. Equally exciting, a Cognixion headset user will be able to interface directly with Amazon Alexa from anywhere, accessing the smart assistant’s functions within the headset to interact with their environment and control smart devices, or access news, music, information and more.
“Cognixion is solving usability and accessibility issues for AR/XR and enabling new capabilities for people with disabilities today,” says Andreas Forsland, Cognixion Founder and CEO, “And in the near future, we see our innovations becoming a fundamental part of the metaverse, as a biological interface plus highly adaptive algorithms that unlock new use cases for XR.”
“We believe that technology should be inclusive and universally accessible to every individual, and everyone deserves a solution that can adapt to their needs – and that it’s possible to build ONE solution that can be personalized for communication, information access, interacting with smart devices, and everything else life has to offer,” Andreas Forsland said. “Prime Movers Lab has the same focus around making augmentative human capabilities a reality. Unlike most VCs, Prime Movers Lab is an extension of our team. In addition to the funding that they are providing, they are already helping us with hiring, marketing, government relations and building a pipeline of prospective customers.”
“Cognixion has created a breakthrough human-machine interface that accelerates and enriches human communication and connection,” Prime Movers Lab General Partner, Amy Kruse said. “You would think that Cognixion ONE is something out of science fiction if it didn’t already exist. We believe that it will be a fundamentally life-changing and integral blend of an AI software platform with hardware to assist people of all ages who live with speech and motor disabilities, including Cerebral Palsy, Brainstem Stroke, ALS and many other conditions. Further we see the broader expansion of this platform to extend to all users to enrich life experiences, including: gaming, apps, the metaverse, and beyond. ”
“Cognixion ONE’s combination of visual stimulation and EEG reading could profoundly change the means of communication for patients with physical and neurological impairments,” said Dr. Souhel Najjar, SVP and Executive Director of the Neurology Service Line at Northwell Health. “We look forward to collaborating with the Cognixion team as they develop this technology and assess its efficacy in addressing this significant challenge.”
“Cognixion’s technology has the potential to revolutionize the way patients with impairments can communicate in a variety of settings. We believe Northwell’s investment and expertise will support Cognixion’s expansion into health care provider markets,” said Rich Mulry, President and CEO of Northwell Holdings & Ventures.
Click here to find more information about Cognixion ONE and to submit interest for pre-order.
If you’d like to work at Cognixion, preview career opportunities.
About Cognixion
Cognixion is an internationally award-winning neuroscience and technology company pioneering the field of Assisted Reality. Cognixion develops AI powered non-invasive BCI (Brain Computer Interface), assistive tech, and useful applications for people, including those affected by neuro developmental disorders and injuries to the brain and spinal cord. Based in Santa Barbara, California, the company develops software that helps people with communication challenges express themselves significantly faster than any other solution on the market, and provides a direct non-verbal interface to control Alexa enabled devices around the home, school and workplace. For more information, please visit
https://cognixion.com.
About Prime Movers Lab
Prime Movers Lab invests in breakthrough scientific startups founded by Prime Movers, the inventors who transform billions of lives. We invest in companies reinventing energy, transportation, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and human augmentation. Portfolio investments span in-space transportation, industrial solar heat, ag tech, brain upgrades, nanostructured materials, wafer slicing, prosthetics, 3D printing, mobility, longevity and AI. For more information, please visit https://www.primemoverslab.com.
About Northwell Health
Northwell Health is New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, 830 outpatient facilities, more than 16,600 affiliated physicians, and 77,000 employees. Northwell Health cares for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond. Northwell Holdings & Ventures is the for-profit venture investment arm, investing in companies that are strategically synergistic with its parent. The Holdings & Ventures mandate provides for investment capital and health system expertise/access to emerging companies that support the overarching mission of advancing patient care.
Northwell Holdings & Ventures accesses the vast medical resources of Northwell Health to build new technologies and progress new ideas in both clinical and non-clinical areas. The team has deep experience with entrepreneurial ventures, from venture creation and investing in early-stage companies to providing strategic and clinical advisory to its portfolio companies.
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Your Website URL: http://cognixion.com/
Submit your info for our report on Metaverse Platforms!
How many Metaverse platforms are out there and what are they used for? We want to feature all/most of them in this report! Submit your info now!
Metaverse refers to digital spaces which are made more lifelike by the use of VR or AR. “The metaverse is an iteration of the internet, supporting persistent online 3-D virtual environments through conventional personal computing, as well as virtual and augmented reality headsets. Metaverses, in some limited form, are already present on platforms like VRChat or video games like Second Life.” (Wikipedia)
Facebook changed its name to Meta to reflect their commitment to the next evolution of social connection and Meta’s company’s vision is to help bring the metaverse to life. According to Mark Zuckerberg, connection is evolving and so is Facebook/Meta.
The metaverse is the future of social platforms and there are many existing examples of this happening already. For example, Sensorium is a metaverse that unites various conceptual worlds in a single VR environment, offering users a deeply immersive experience to interact with others and engage in exciting activities. Others include ROBLOX, Microsoft Mesh, Niantic, among many others.
Disney is the latest firm to announce metaverse plans as it plans to ‘connect the physical and digital worlds … allowing for storytelling without boundaries’. Nike is ready to sell products in the Metaverse and has filed patent applications for its products as “downloadable virtual goods”, extending the brand's rights into the virtual world. Even the Korean city of Seoul announced a plan to make a variety of public services and cultural events available in the metaverse.
Our report will be published and promoted via our channels including our global db of 56K emails, website (24K unique monthly visitors), social media (60K followers), events (our Global Summit)
If interested to Sponsor this report, email info@thevrara.com
Arcturus Adds Depthkit Support to HoloSuite, Streamlining the Volumetric Video Pipeline
Volumetric video pioneer Arcturus unveils the latest update for its industry leading HoloSuite tools, adding full support for Scatter’s 3D capture software, Depthkit Studio. Now, content creators of all sizes — from established commercial production studios, to artists and researchers prototyping in volumetric capture for the first time — can capture, edit and distribute their volumetric projects using one pipeline, making it easier than ever to create holograms for augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), framed media, 360-degree spatial videos and more.
With the volumetric video market expected to surpass the $5 billion mark in the next few years, content creators need a simplified method for capturing, editing and distributing volumetric video. Thanks to this new partnership, Depthkit Studio users can now upload their volumetric video footage into HoloEdit, where it can be refined and polished, and users can add additional touches, including interactive cues. The video can then be compressed and exported for direct distribution, or uploaded to game engines for further integration into existing projects and environments.
Once the project is ready for the public, the completed file can be imported into HoloStream for distribution. Content creators can then stream their work straight to any web browser, while Arcturus’ proprietary algorithms ensure a consistent, high-quality stream, regardless of bandwidth stability. That gives consumers the ability to view AR holograms directly on their mobile devices, and explore videos without the need for additional hardware or software, while VR users can experience a new level of immersion.
How To Build a Multi-User Collaborative iOS AR Experience Using Agora's Real-Time Messaging and Audio
Agora is much more than a video streaming SDK. One other SDK available from Agora is the Real-time Messaging SDK.
The Agora Real-time messaging SDK can be used to send chunks of data across the network, including encoded structs, files, and plain text.
CollaboratAR is an example project where people can either join an active session or create a new one, located at a place of their choosing on a 3D globe floating in front of them. Once joined, users can add, modify, and remove objects from the scene, with updates sent to everyone else in the channel.
When joining a session, the users also join an audio channel using the Agora Audio SDK, so they can hear each other as well as see each other’s location.
Why and How to Augment COVID Schooling at Home with Technology such as Desktop-AR
The pandemic has forced students, parents, and teachers to pivot and find ways to learn at home. For most, this either means remote learning through lessons over Zoom, having the parents run home-schooling, or a mixture of both. Even though more family time can be great, students are bound to become bored and distracted (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/school-at-home-students-coronavirus.html), not to mention missing friends and the routine of physically going to school. Even though schools are opening up, there have been discussions that maybe learning at home may still be necessary.
Enter augmented reality. You’re probably most familiar with it through games like Pokemon Go, but there’s so much more that this kind of technology can do for education. (FYI: If you’re thinking of those bulky headsets, gloves, and/or powerful computer setups, you’re thinking of virtual reality.)
Benefits of AR in Education
In terms of ease of use, most students will already be accustomed to the controls to navigate AR apps because this kind of educational technology (or edutech) requires devices that most students already know how to control like a computer desktop, smartphone, or tablet. This means there will be little to no time spent on teaching students how to use the controls. This also means that classrooms and households don’t need to spend more money on learning devices.
When considered in controlled settings, the technology can still offer a lot of benefits to students. Studies in the last few years have shown that AR can encourage motivation (https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7208494), help students with ADHD (https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2018.1476602), and even improve their critical thinking (https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1230077.pdf), cognitive abilities (http://doi.org/10.3390/app10082948), and social skills (http://doi.org/10.3390/s18072368). Not only will access to available learning materials grow for the general student population, but it also provides more opportunities for students to learn the way they like by customizing their AR experiences.
And when studied exclusively in a remote learning, COVID-era environment, the results are similar. In a May 2021 study (https://online-journals.org/index.php/i-jet/article/view/17895) in Saudi Arabia, results showed that the university students in the virtual classroom using AR showed higher academic achievement and higher acquisition of the design skills taught in the course. Similarly, in a May 2020 study (https://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/jpii/article/view/26123) of 111 university students in Indonesia, the results showed that the students had strong improvement in their scientific literacy levels because of the AR-based multimedia used.
Useful AR Apps to add to Your Remote Learning
Here are ideas, by subject, on how to implement some AR apps to become part of the lesson. To note, this will not be an exhaustive overview. There are tons of AR apps on the market now and in beta that can help students in almost any subject.
Science
The science subject is the perfect area to try out AR apps if you’re hesitant or just curious. For biology class, instead of a flat, paper diagram where students have to list the different bones in the body, what if they could see the real thing and get quizzed on its name? With the 4D Interactive Anatomy app (https://www.4danatomy.com), students can “dissect” the body to see the skeleton or the different internal systems, all based on real scans from cadavers.
For astronomy class, what if, along with the videos and pictures from NASA’s Mars rovers, students could “drive” them and see the individual parts in the machinery? Through the JigSpace (https://jig.space) and Desktop AR (https://www.holo-sdk.com) apps, students can do that and more. Both apps can be used for science lessons, but they allow for almost any model to be uploaded into their system for the student to play with and explore.
For the younger scientists, there’s the Quiver app (https://quivervision.com). Using specially designed coloring pages, students can color them in however they like and then the app will bring them to life, just as they’ve colored them, along with facts about the scene. So if you can’t take them to the zoo, why not let them color in a tiger and have it roar on the kitchen table?
English/Language Arts
For students that are reading novels for school and need to discuss the themes of the book, maybe instead of an essay they recreate a scene from the book or make a “better” ending? With the 3D Bear app (https://www.3dbear.io) or the Metaverse AR platform (https://studio.gometa.io/landing), students can create their own 3D scene and share it with the class in AR. Both apps also allow for collaboration so students can work in groups on chapters and then combine them all to create an entire AR movie for the book.
For younger students that can’t read yet or need encouragement reading, the Wonderscope app (https://wonderscope.com/index.html) brings to life the developer’s growing library of AR stories. The students read aloud lines to interact with characters, helping them solve problems.
History
Instead of a history lesson where students just read from a textbook or listen to a lecture, what if they could “travel” to the destinations and “touch” the documents and weapons being discussed? With Google Arts & Culture’s Expeditions (https://artsandculture.google.com/project/expeditions) and the Civilisations AR app (https://www.bbc.co.uk/taster/pilots/civilisations-ar), students can do just that. Teachers can take the class on a virtual field trip and let them touch the artifacts as the historic story unfolds. (Note: Development on the Civilisations app has ended, but it is still available to download and use.)
Math
It’s geometry class and it’s time to learn about shapes. One traditional way is to pull out the graph paper and draw out the axes. But instead of having students plot points and potentially get lost in the grid, why not use AR to build those solids on the dining table so they can rotate them around and see how it looks in reality? With the GeoGebra app (https://www.geogebra.org) you can do just that. You can also give challenges to the students to see if they can build a soup can or the table they’re sitting at in the app. The Shapes 3D (https://shapes.learnteachexplore.com) app is simpler, allowing students to fold and unfold shapes so they can understand how it all works together.
And for the math problems that need to be worked on the page, there’s the Photomath app (https://photomath.com/en/). Just scan any handwritten equation and the app will help you solve it. (Ok, so there isn’t a lesson plan idea for this one. The author just thought it was really cool.)
There are more AR apps for these core subjects and beyond as well. It’s up to the parent or teacher (maybe even the students themselves) to explore and experiment. If you’re home and you have time on your hands, why not? Everyone can learn something new.
More info https://www.holo-sdk.com
Download our Africa VR/AR Ecosystem Report
The last two years have been great for immersive technologies. The global pandemic ramped up the use cases for immersive technologies, showing the world how significant these technologies are.
In Africa, we are starting to see a lot of digital immersive solutions, from leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) to enable customers try out furniture before they make a purchase to Nigerian musical artist album launched in Virtual Reality (VR) and Virtual Human Computer Interaction Lab researching in-depth into VR for empathy.
We have also seen a lot of use cases in the education and tourism domains, these show that Africa is becoming an accelerator to more immersive solutions and there is no better time to jump in than now.
At the VR/AR Association, we continuously look for ways to drive the inclusion and exposure of these technologies. The VR/AR Africa Ecosystem annual report is one such way where we showcase companies doing great work in this space, making businesses easily identify key partners to implement their future projects.
Download the 2021 State of AR Shopping report based on responses from 1,000+ US shoppers
Wool & Water LLC just released the 6 month update to its 2021 State of AR Shopping report based on responses from 1,000+ US shoppers.
The new data in the report sheds light on consumer perspectives of AR and VR, how only 6% of consumers have actually used Snapchat's AR Commerce tool, and strategies as brands prepare for shopping in the Metaverse.
The report has really strong numbers and growth in key shopper behaviors and interest in AR and VR for shopping for our industry. Download report here!
EAN UNIVERSITY INAUGURATES ADVANCED XR LAB TO BUILD COLOMBIA’S SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA
EAN University inaugurated its new XR Lab, powering its infrastructure with the Extended Reality (XR) platform VIROO®. The first of its kind in Colombia, this laboratory is part of EAN’s mission and initiatives to expand its positive social and economic impact by fostering excellence and innovation in high education and sustainable entrepreneurship development.
Emerging from a joint effort and strategic alliance between the EAN University, the expert virtual reality company Virtual4, and the basque cluster GAIA, the lab was formally inaugurated in Bogota on October 3, 2021. The XR Lab digital infrastructure and installation comprises VIROO®’s state-of-the-art platform in their 100 square meters immersive VIROO® room to foster the digital transformation of sustainable academic and industrial advances.
For Brigitte Baptiste, Cancellor of EAN University, the lab aims to provide an outstanding advanced education model and tools serving new generations of students and entrepreneurs looking to reduce their carbon footprint through the infinite possibilities to explore, question, experiment with ideas, concepts, and processes in virtual environments.
“This lab means a qualitative and quantitative leap in terms of the university’s intentions to build Colombia’s sustainability agenda. We believe it is an essential tool to change the logic behind how we address the footprint we make in the world”. Brigitte Baptiste, Cancellor of EAN University.
As part of the inaugural event, the university hosted a demonstration of VIROO®’s platform to several attendees experiencing what it feels like to be transported into a virtual world yet maintaining a real sense of presence while walking, collaborating, and communicating with other user’s avatars. Designed to support both single and multi-user sessions in remote and in-person hybrid configurations, the versatility of VIROO® displays its full potential in its immersive rooms, such as the XR Lab, thanks to its absolute tracking system enabling the precise geolocation of users for optimal XR experiences.
“This infrastructure allows us to create an ecosystem to share knowledge and provide new services to benefit both the education and industry sectors,” says Tomás Iriondo, GAIA’s director.
Virtualware, creator of the VIROO® XR platform and its partner Virtual4 celebrates this significant milestone reinforcing the shared purpose of accelerating the adoption of immersive technologies and creating a network of leading organizations supporting sustainable social, economic, and environmental advancement in Colombia, Latin America, and the world.
“Ean University is a key partner in our strategy to generate positive changes in society via emerging technologies such as virtual reality, reflecting our commitment to support and accelerate the generation of innovative VR-based projects and sustainable entrepreneurship. We are overly excited about this collaboration”. Luis Alberto Viñas, Vice President of Virtual4.
ABOUT EAN UNIVERSITY
The EAN University is a Colombian academic institution whose higher purpose is to contribute and promote sustainable entrepreneurship, considering leadership and innovation fundamental elements in generating abundance for humanity. https://universidadean.edu.co/
ABOUT VIRTUAL4
Virtual4 is a company that uses virtual reality to generate impact, change and social transformation through the implementation of innovative projects with local and international partners, improving processes, optimizing training and generating empathy. https://virtual4.tech/
ABOUT VIROO
VIROO® is Virtualware’s award-winning platform to create, manage and deploy XR ecosystems at ease, accelerating adoption at every level. Modular and agnostic by design, VIROO® gives users, creators, and organizations a complete infrastructure and components to succeed in their XR journey.
ABOUT VIRTUALWARE
Since 2004, Virtualware’s purpose has been to share its XR expertise and promote the potential of immersive technologies to accelerate companies’ and institutions’ adoption of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) to create a sustainable future that moves society forward.
Fast, Efficient and Automated CAD Data Preparation for XR
The latest release of Theorem-XR delivers a robust and format rich automated data preparation tool between CAD and XR using Theorem’s Visualization Pipeline (Theorem-VP) and sees added support for Microsoft Azure Remote Rendering to deliver large quantities of high-quality streamed data directly to your Microsoft HoloLens 2.
For many, the ability to quickly prepare and optimize 3D engineering design for use in an extended reality XR device is a real issue, but one that is easily solved using the Theorem-VP, which is helping to remove the barrier to Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality adoption.
Installed on the Cloud or on premise, a user can simply drag and drop their data directly on to the server, ‘Save as’ from within CAD, export directly from PLM, or run-in batch mode to deliver rich, high-quality assets for use in any Augmented, Mixed or Virtual Reality XR device-without the need for time intensive rework. Data only needs to be prepared once for use on all supported device types.
Theorem-XR supports all major CAD and lightweight input formats and outputs to Theorem’s engineering focused XR experiences for Design Review, Factory Layout, Training, Visualization and Visual Digital Twin, or for the creation of Unity or Unreal assets for use in internally developed XR solutions.
Whether 3DEXPERIENCE, CATIA V5, Creo, Creo View, ICEM Reference Manager, Inventor, JT, NX or SOLIDWORKS are the input type of choice, Theorem-VP supports inputs/outputs for photo realistic rendering using Alias, Maya, VRED, existing lightweight viewing technologies JT, Creo View.pvz, glTF, or FBX for use in XR based technologies powered by Unity.
As well as processing (part files) geometry Theorem-VP retains product structure and metadata-including animation data to further enrich the value of XR content.
Data Preparation and Optimization is fully configurable by the end user enabling options for: Shrink Wrapping, Part Culling, Model Decimation/Tessellation, Assembly Structure, Quads Support (for FBX) users) and the addition of import options for Material Mapping, Defeaturing and Metadata extraction, to give the best XR asset experience to meet device performance and use case.
Theorem-VP saves time and reduces cost by eliminating manual activity, whilst maximising visualization performance and quality, meaning it’s never been easier to use existing 3D assets to create XR content.
New extended reality solutions and devices for delivering XR Experiences are evolving at a breath-taking pace, however, without data prepared and optimized correctly, they struggle to deliver value.
Theorem-XR is a complimentary technology that works for the individual, the enterprise, at all levels and at all stages of the Extended Reality journey, enabling the user to optimize, visualize and collaborate around their design data.
Backed by 30+ years of CAD data optimization and preparation experience, as a member of the Microsoft Mixed Reality Partner Program (MRPP), and partner to all major CAD vendors, Theorem-XR provides a robust and agile solution for now and the future.
To learn more about Theorem-XR and the Theorem-VP visit https://www.theorem.com/visualize/visualization-pipeline
Perception teams up with the Science Museum Group and Imperial War Museum to present Holographic experiences
Perception, a deep-tech Augmented Reality company along with Imperial War Museum and the Science Museum Group, have launched online 3D Holographic experiences to students around the world. This is the first time that this technology has been used at scale to share museum objects and stories to global audiences. The experiences are a huge step for the company, established in 2019, and will be a case study for projects going forward, showcasing the educational and learning benefits of this innovative technology.
The partnerships will bring highlights of the museums’ collections and stories into the homes and classrooms of audiences across the globe using cutting-edge 3D desktop AR hologram technology. Both Imperial War Museum and the Science Museum Group have given access to Perception to parts of their internationally significant collections and stories, with the aim of reaching new audiences and innovating in new educational platforms. The benefits for both Perception and the museums include the ability to showcase the museum's collection to a global audience in a new, engaging way displaying the multiple benefits of hologram technology.
These virtual exhibitions will allow you to get up close and personal with an historical artefact from or related to the museum collections. A holographic exhibition is the answer to a multitude of problems facing museums from engagement to accessibility which were highlighted during the Covid pandemic. This intersection of history and emerging technologies will be the key to sharing exhibits far beyond the walls of the museums.
The experiences feature the iconic Stephenson's Rocket, which is a favourite of visitors to the National Railway Museum in York. Rocket was built to run on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first inter-city passenger railway line. In 1829, Rocket won the Rainhill Trials, which was a competition to decide on the best mode of transport for the railway. The experience will enable people to explore this feat of engineering without leaving the comfort of their sofas or the classroom.
The Imperial War Museums experience features the legendary Merlin engine which is built within a bespoke learning resource developed by IWM's Public Engagement and Learning Team.
Imperial War Museum experience features the legendary Merlin engine, the engine that powered Spitfire Aircraft. 13,000 3D glasses are being sent to schools close to IWM Duxford (formally RAF Duxford) which was home to the first RAF squadron that received the then new Spitfire.
Immersive technologies are becoming increasingly acknowledged as educational and learning tools. Technology such as desktop AR products are something that can revolutionise the way students are taught. This software enables students to visualise aspects of their syllabus, showcasing tangible, visual examples.
Dr. Sirisilp Kongsilp, CEO and Founder of Perception, says “At Perception, we are really excited about the opportunities these experiences have presented for our company as well as the two museums that we are honoured to be partnering with. Holographic Desktop Augmented Reality software is the way forward in many areas including arts and culture enabling museums and galleries to reach wider audiences in a more engaging, innovative way. These exhibitions will not only showcase the artefacts in an exciting manner but will also showcase this technology as the future of learning and education”
John Stack, Digital Director from the Science Museum Group, says “We are delighted to be undertaking this project and enabling our audiences to view an object from our collection in an exciting new way. This technology makes us excited for the future possibilities for the museum and ways in which our audiences can enjoy this new technology.”
Gill Webber, Executive Director Content & Programmes at Imperial War Museum, says “After the last year, we know adapting and exploring the virtual world is vital for the arts and culture sector. We are delighted to be working with such a cutting-edge company in order to reach new audiences and explore new ways of sharing our incredible stories. This technology is an exciting way to explore this and we are thrilled to be working with the Perception team on the project.”
Media Contact
Claud E. Fletcher / communication@perception.codes / +66 95 313 4044
Joseph Wade / joseph@mediazoo.tv / 07758 074 576
Gill Chapman/ gill.chapman@mediazoo.tv / 00353 86311 8955
About Perception
Perception Holo-SDK is a deep-tech company which is revolutionising the Augmented Reality sector by making it widely available across the globe, bringing objects to life through Desktop AR technology. Founded in Thailand in 2019, Perception is expanding into the UK with their immersive technology, to produce a creative desktop experience for individuals. Perception is set to reshape the arts and culture sector through partnerships with museums, galleries and artists which aim to preserve human history. Their marketplace The Morpheus Project, the first ever Holo-NFT art community, allows artists and galleries to display their holographic collectables to sell them to supporters. Their purpose-built Desktop AR platform allows any user to view 360 degree holographic images from the comfort of their own homes. Perception is increasingly making its way into the UK technology sector by partnering with app developers to get them on board with this state of the art AI tech.
About Science Museum Group
The Science Museum Group is the world’s leading group of science museums, welcoming over five million visitors each year to five sites: the Science Museum in London; the National Railway Museum in York; the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester; the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford; and Locomotion in Shildon. We share the stories of innovations and people that shaped our world and are transforming the future, constantly reinterpreting our astonishingly diverse collection of 7.3 million items spanning science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Standout objects include the record-breaking locomotive Flying Scotsman, Richard Arkwright’s textile machinery, Alan Turing’s Pilot ACE computer, Dorothy Hodgkin’s model of penicillin and the earliest surviving recording of British television. Our mission is to inspire futures - igniting curiosity among people of all ages and backgrounds. Each year, our museums attract more than 600,000 visits by education groups, while our touring exhibition programme brings our creativity and scholarship to audiences across the globe. More information can be found at sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk.
About Imperial War Museum
IWM (Imperial War Museums) tells the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth since the First World War.
Our unique collections, made up of the everyday and the exceptional, reveal stories of people, places, ideas and events. Using these, we tell vivid personal stories and create powerful physical experiences across our five museums that reflect the realities of war as both a destructive and creative force. We challenge people to look at conflict from different perspectives, enriching their understanding of the causes, course and consequences of war and its impact on people’s lives.
IWM’s five branches which attract over 2.5 million visitors each year are IWM London, IWM’s flagship branch that recently transformed with new, permanent and free First World War Galleries alongside new displays across the iconic Atrium to mark the Centenary of the First World War; IWM North, housed in an iconic award-winning building designed by Daniel Libeskind; IWM Duxford, a world renowned aviation museum and Britain's best preserved wartime airfield; Churchill War Rooms, housed in Churchill’s secret headquarters below Whitehall; and the Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast.
A new XR HUB at the Technology Park empowers Bizkaia's local innovation ecosystem in Spain
After their recent 35th anniversary, Bizkaia Science and Technology Park inaugurates their new XR innovation HUB to accelerate the digital transformation of companies of all sizes and industries looking to begin, explore and thrive in their XR journeys.
The HUB has been built from the ground up -in collaboration with the industry expert Virtualware- with top-of-the-line XR infrastructure to strengthen Bizkaia's innovative ecosystem of users, creators, and organizations, providing complete and convenient access to immersive technologies, virtual reality (VR) in particular.
A new immersive space to serve businesses
The Technology Park selected VIROO® as their HUB platform infrastructure connecting their high-end immersive room, equipment, applications, and a portal for members. Businesses entering the HUB program will be able to select plans adaptable for their unique scope, scale, and agility desired to achieve their XR vision and goals. The subscription plans will enable members to use the HUB's amenities, administer their accounts, access their data, and create, manage and deploy their XR catalogue simply and securely.
The 100m2 immersive room, a distinctive element of the Technology Park HUB, is located in Zamudio and has been specifically built to welcome organizations of all industries interested in creating and deploying XR content for multiple users at a 1:1 scale. At this location, designing virtual experiences for learning, training, prototyping, R&D, and more will redefine how companies generate and showcase their advancements. The HUB’s immersive room blends the best of physical and virtual worlds where multiple people can walk naturally, sharpen their soft skills, and collaborate while exploring what's possible in virtual environments.
"This new space gives us a new impetus as referents in innovation. We want to bring these kinds of technologies closer to local businesses and create an ecosystem around XR," points out Itziar Epalza, Director of the Basque Country Technology Park Network.
Through VIROO®'s platform and apps for all computer-skill users, HUB members will access versatile content creator and design review tools, where they will be able to work and develop a full range of simple and complex content applications.
"Enterprise-grade Extended Reality is not only available to large-cap companies thanks to benchmark centers such as the Technology Park. In our new model for HUBs, innovation centers can grow their ecosystems by making VIROO® XR amenities more accessible and affordable for SMEs who want to start innovating with virtual technologies," adds Unai Extremo, CEO of Virtualware.
Virtualware will officially launch the new HUB offering for organizations looking to become hosts of XR HUBs powered by VIROO® in the framework of Be Digital, one of the most relevant digital transformation events in Spain, from October 26 to 28th at the Bilbao Exhibition Center (BEC).
More info: https://www.virtualwareco.com/news/xr-hub-bizkaia-technology-park/
